The little boy of flames just sat and stared at him, as Aang stared up at the clouds. Aang would have found this situation a bit disconcerting, except he knew the spirits had their own agendas in mind.
From up close, the boy held a remarkable resemblance to Zuko, as he had first noted. However, his gold eyes were far larger, giving him an innocent appearance that clashed with how solemn he appeared.
In all honesty, Aang kinda wanted to hug the little kid and treat him to some iced cream. Apparently he was really looking forward to spoiling Sokka and Suki's kid.
"Aden, right?" he asked, still not sitting up.
The child smiled, holding out a hand to Aang.
Aang took it.
"I hate this fucking plan," Aang whispered under his breath.
Apparently he hadn't spoken quite as softly as he should have, because he promptly got his head smacked.
"You better watch your mouth, Aang," Katara scolded. "I won't have you talking that way around my nieces and nephews, or any other children, for that matter!"
"I'm kinda scared that she's talking in the plural," Sokka said to Toph, who just nodded her head in agreement.
Katara glared at Sokka, but said nothing.
Aang rubbed the back of his head.
"None of us are thrilled with the plan," Hahn said, eyeing his pack critically. "But considering the information we've received from Leaf, it's the best choice."
"Anyway, we had to split up the last time Ozai attacked," Toph added. "Plus we had to split up a few times already."
"I know. I just hate it. I hate not being able to protect you guys."
"But we have to do this so there'll be a future," said Haru.
Aang looked at his friends assembled in the room. He wondered if this would be the last time he saw them, and his eyes began to fill with tears.
"Don't get all sappy on us, Aang," said Sokka, slapping him on the back even though his own voice wavered.
"We have to win," said Mai softly. "Not just for the Fire Nation, but for everyone."
Aang rubbed his eyes, trying to stop them from spilling, but only partially succeeded. He didn't tell them 'good-bye.' He said, "I'll see you later."
Azula massaged her throbbing temples. The headaches had slowly become worse, and the voices louder. She was fairly certain that her mother was dead. Yet her soft and calm voice asked her to stop.
Stop what? Azula wasn't sure anymore.
She made a small sound in the back of her throat, urging her transportation to move quicker. Her father told her to return to the palace.
"Why, Azula?" said her mother.
"Shut up!"
Before leaving the capital, Zuko looked back, and almost seemed to study it. He once more wore light clothing, a simple tunic and pants, along with boots and his twin swords strapped to his back. The only thing that identified him was the Fire Lord's flame, nestled in the loose bun on his head.
Aang hated when Zuko put his hair up. He enjoyed running his fingers through the long strands, but it wasn't just this that defined Aang's preference. Zuko seemed more free, more relaxed when his hair wasn't pulled up.
It brought back memories of when Zuko joined them. He had let his hair grow long. Aang didn't discuss the chase years prior, but he always thought Zuko appeared far more intimidating with his mostly bare head and the tight ponytail.
"It's impolite to stare," said Zuko, without turning.
Aang smiled sheeply.
Zuko turned towards him. "Just remember that if you run into a tree, I'm going to stand over you and laugh."
"You're so mean," Aang replied, sticking his tongue out, but not managing to completely wipe the smile from his face.
Zuko smiled, then started walking once more.
Aden took him to the temple of the Sun Warriors. It felt like years since he and Zuko had traveled here, trying to regain his gifts that turned on him. The two dragons had helped him once. Perhaps they were here again to gain some wisdom from them?
Aden smiled at him, and he pointed.
The two dragons did not seem to notice them at all. Together, they flew through the air, intertwining and unwinding without pause. Aang remembered how fortunate he and Zuko had been to face them twice and learn from them.
Aden made no move to communicate to the dragons, simply watching the pair dance. Uncertain what to do, Aang finally said, "Do I need to talk to them?"
A negative shake of the head was his answer. Aang frowned. "But we're here because there's something I'm supposed to learn, right?"
This received a positive nod.
Aang stared at the dragons. They were locked in their own dance, either unaware of them or ignoring them. What had he learned? That fire was not bad, but could be used for bad purposes. That there was a fire within everyone, that spark of life, as corny as it sounded even in his own head.
He remembered how the first time he and Zuko came, they performed the dragon dance. It made him smile. The dance was a bit awkward, and the final pose felt a bit foolish. Two people coming together…
The thought stuck in his head as the dragons weaved themselves around each other.
One.
Unity.
Zuko glared at his bedroll. He really did want to sleep. Just the minute he laid down, his brain wouldn't stop running. His mind kept on running through different scenarios of what they might meet, and he knew that really nothing could prepare them.
Aang, luckily, seemed perfectly capable of sleeping. He had given him a sympathetic look, flopped down, and fallen asleep. Zuko envied Aang's greater ability to push things aside. He knew, however, that Aang had his fair share of sleepless nights.
Zuko sighed. If he couldn't sleep, he could at least contemplate his newest puzzle. So far, both Katara and Toph managed to somehow transform into their given elements. This left Zuko. He stared at his hands, willing them to burst into flame, but nothing happened. He then imagined small particles of his being burning up. Nothing on that end either.
"Or I could just jump into a volcano," he grumbled. Sokka probably would have found it humorous, considering he had suggested such things when Zuko first joined them years prior. He had a feeling that Aang wouldn't find it funny at all.
Having failed this current experiment, Zuko decided to push the idea to the side for now. It was possible that he simply wasn't meant to use his element like Katara and Toph.
He would just have to wait.
Aden held out his hand, and moved as if to give Aang something. He didn't hold anything visible, but Aang 'took' what the little boy gave him, and he understood.
Aang smiled. He now knew another way to bend, similar to Energy-bending. He also started to have an idea what would happen between him and the Dark Avatar.
Aang bowed to Aden, though he thought of all of his teachers.
"Thank you…thank you all for helping me."
